Irritable Bowel Disease

Irritable bowel disease (irritable bowel syndrome) is a nonserious, chronic disorder occasionally referred to as "spastic colon". Irritable bowel disease is considered a functional bowel disorder with no underlying anatomic abnormality. This diagnosis is often used to explain a constellation of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in a patient with no demonstrable anatomic abnormality. Irritable bowel disease seems to be more prevalent in thin females. Common symptoms include: recurrent crampy abdominal pain with or without bouts of constipation alternating with diarrhea. These patients SHOULD NOT have a fever and vomiting is uncommon. Evaluation generally includes a complete GI investigation, many times resulting in upper GI endoscopy and lower GI endoscopy. Upper GI series and barium enema are often part of the evaluation. All these tests will show no organic disease in the patient with irritable bowel disease. Blood tests will be normal in most cases. Treatment of functional bowel disorders is difficult. Bulking agents that increase dietary fiber such as (Metamucil) can reduce the attacks of pain in some patients. Antispasmodics (Valium or Librax) and anticholinergics have also
been used for this problem. A complete investigation into the potential causes for abdominal pain is recommended before this diagnosis is considered. The Gastroenterologist will be the expert in the evaluation and treatment of this problem.

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